"Saturday Night Live" alum Amy Poehler has hit federal government (with her
hilarious take on Hillary Clinton) and state government (with her instant-classic
Sarah Palin rap).
Now, she's
turning to local government:
The new series, still untitled, will be filmed in the same mockmentary
style as "The Office" but will be set in the world of local government.
Cameras follow Leslie Knope (Poehler), described as a "mid-level
bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana." [...]
In the show, Leslie attempts to improve her town and advance her
career by helping a local nurse (Rashida Jones, "The Office") turn a
construction pit into a park. They're opposed by defensive bureaucrats,
NIMBY neighbors and developers. She's helped and hindered by Tom
Haverford (Aziz Ansari, "Human Giant," "Scrubs"), another government
official.
In the process, Leslie hopes to inspire her bored college intern
(Aubrey Plaza) and reach her goal of becoming the first female
President of the United States.
Primetime portrayals of local government usually center on the grittier side -- crime scenes, police stations, courtrooms.
Will this show bring a little respect to other municipal jobs?
Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
